R.I.P.: Scott Wilson of The Walking Dead has passed away

Veteran character actor Scott Wilson is best known now for playing the role of Hershel Greene on AMC's The Walking Dead, which is very understandable. Over the course of around 30 episodes, Wilson made Hershel someone viewers could love and respect. Then, as tends to happen to characters on that show, Hershel met a tragic end, leaving the audience heartbroken and wishing he was still around. It definitely made an impression.

But beyond The Walking Dead, Wilson had 80 more acting credits and a career that stretched back more than 50 years.

He made his screen debut in the 1967 film IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT, which went on to win five Academy Awards, including Best Picture. That same year, he also had a memorable role (one of the roles he's best known for aside from Hershel) in IN COLD BLOOD, which earned four Academy Award nominations itself. '67 was a major year for Wilson, and his career got off to a great start.

In the decades since, Wilson racked up credits in films like THE NINTH CONFIGURATION, THE RIGHT STUFF, YOUNG GUNS II, THE EXORCIST III, FLESH AND BONE, JUDGE DREDD, PEARL HARBOR, MONSTER, THE LAST SAMURAI, JUNEBUG, THE HOST, and HOSTILES. Since his time on The Walking Dead ended, he had appeared in the TV series Damien (which was part of the THE OMEN franchise) and Netflix's The OA.

Wilson was a great actor, and I was shocked to hear that he had passed away at his home in Los Angeles this past weekend at the age of 76. I had no inkling that he had been ill, but further reports have revealed that he died due to complications from leukemia.

Wilson's rep Dominic Mancini confirmed the news to People Magazine and made the following statement:

Scott was one of the most genuine, inspirational, and truly beloved people. His amazing legacy will live on through his timeless performances. He will be missed deeply by his wife, family, and friends."

AMC also released a statement:

Scott will always be remembered as a great actor and we all feel fortunate to have known him as an even better person. The character he embodied on The Walking Dead, Hershel, lived at the emotional core of the show. Like Scott in our lives, Hershel was a character whose actions continue to inform our characters’ choices to this day. Our hearts go out to his wife, family, friends and to the millions of fans who loved him. Scott will be missed."

Just hours before word came out that Wilson had passed away, it was revealed that he had stepped back into the role of Hershel Greene for an upcoming episode of The Walking Dead. We will be seeing Hershel again sometime in the next seven episodes of that show.

Wilson is survived by his wife of 41 years, Heavenly.

He earned the admiration of a lot of fans during his 51 years of acting, and we'll continue to enjoy his many great performances for a long time to come.